Stoves

After a long day of trekking through the mountains and having pitched your tent, nothing else is more wholesome than a hot cup of tea with a nice cooked meal. A good stove is therefore necessary camping equipment. Of course you can cook on an open fire, but due to the environmental impact, fire risk, inefficiency, and uncontrollability of it - the best method to cook is to use some sort of stove.

Stove Types
When you buy a stove, you should be aware of the different types of stoves. These types can be divided according to the type of fuel they burn.

Solid Fuel Stoves

This type of stove use fuel like e.g. alcohol gel or 'hex' blocks. The advantages of this fuel are that they are cheap to run, very safe, very easy to use, simple and reliable, have nearly no maintenance and the fuel cannot spill or leak. Disadvantages are that the fuel is inefficient, burns quite slowly and is not widely available. In addition you have almost no control over the heat output.

This type of stove is cheap, but should only be used in emergencies or for very few occasions.

Unpressurized Liquid Stoves

Mainly methanol is used by these type of stoves. It requires very little maintenance and is easy to use. Its drawbacks are that it is inefficient, slow, that the fuel can leak easily and that the fuel is difficult to buy overseas.

But for those who want a simple, relatively safe, and low maintenance stove and who want a stove and pan set all-in-one it is a popular choice. Especially youth groups, schools, scout groups choose this particular stove.

Gas Stoves

These stoves use gas fuel from brand names like Go-Gas, Primus or MSR butane/propane mix. These stoves are very efficient, very easy to use, clean and very controllable. Disadvantages are that they are relatively expensive to run and the fuel canister are only available in developed countries.

This type of stove is a good choice for those who go on shorter trips and where weight is an important factor.

Pressurized Liquid Stoves

Typical pressurized fuel liquids are Coleman fuel, unleaded petrol and paraffin. This type of stove is fast, efficient and chape to run. The fuel is relatively widely available (although this depends on the model of the stove). Large disadvantage is the high maintenance - it requires priming and regular cleaning. In addition the fuel is dirty, smelly can leak and can flare up while you are cooking.

A good choice for those who want a powerful stove with widely available fuel, that is cheaper to run than gas, and who don't mind the extra maintenance and hassle. Ideal for those travelling to developing countries or undertaking longer expeditions.

What you should know more before you buy

• Stoves with a separate burner and fuel bottle/canister are much more stable - especially with bigger pans or on rough ground.
• Gas stoves with a generator tube give better cold weather performance and will not flare if knocked over.
• Pressurised liquid stoves (e.g. MSR XGK II) give by far the best performance in extreme cold and/or at high altitude.
• Many gas stoves are available with built-in igniters, making them even easier and quicker to use.
  Ensure that any pressurised liquid stove is as easy to take apart/repair/maintain as possible.
  
  

Example Stoves

MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Stove

Snow Peak GigaPower Stove

MSR DragonFly Stove

Tips when using the stove

• A windshield will greatly improve the performance of any stove.
• For short trips, gas is the lightest and least bulky option. On longer trips however, a pressurised liquid stove and fuel can work out lighter for the heating power it produces.
• Be careful when buying fuel from unknown vendors in some developing countries as they sometimes fill or top-up gas canisters with water.